NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADOPT RESOLUTION HONORING FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Legislature adopted a ceremonial resolution Wednesday honoring former President Jimmy Carter for his devotion to public service and humanitarian work. Legislative Resolution 1 was introduced by State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, on the first day of the legislative session, one week ago. All but one of Arch’s colleagues in the 49-member body joined the effort to recognize and thank Carter.

The resolution acknowledges Carter’s life around his presidency, such as his 1946 graduation with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy, his honorable discharge from the Navy with the rank of lieutenant, and the establishment of the nonprofit Carter Center, which seeks to improve lives in more than 80 countries. Arch’s resolution also highlights Carter’s 2002 Nobel Peace Prize win “in recognition of his efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development.”

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LINCOLN JUDGE ALLOWS NEBRASKA AG'S LAWSUIT AGAINST TIKTOK TO GO FORWARD

LINCOLN- A Lancaster County judge is allowing the Nebraska Attorney General's civil case against social media giant TikTok to go forward alleging the company has made misrepresentations under state consumer protection laws.

"We have filed this lawsuit to hold TikTok accountable for deceiving Nebraska parents and children and for the harm TikTok's deception has caused," Attorney General Mike Hilgers said Monday. Hilgers said he is grateful to the court for allowing the case to proceed "so that our office can continue to fight for Nebraskans and protect them from exploitative companies that would do them harm."

At a hearing in October, an attorney for the social media giant asked the judge to dismiss the case, calling the allegations the state leveled within it a matter of opinion and "puffery."

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BILL WOULD ALLOW NONCITIZENS IN NEBRASKA TO LEGALLY WORK AS POLICE

LINCOLN- A Nebraska lawmaker is seeking to make noncitizens who are lawfully present in the United States and able to work eligible to serve as police officers or county sheriff’s deputies. The bill (LB301) from Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner would help boost recruitment for law enforcement agencies, particularly in rural parts, as well as in cities and counties struggling to hire officers.

Under Ibach's proposal, “eligible aliens” — those who do not have U.S. citizenship but are in the country legally and able to work — could apply to become certified law enforcement officers. Those individuals, like other aspiring law enforcement personnel, would still need to go through Nebraska's training program and meet physical fitness standards, she added.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS AIM TO DEFINE MALE, FEMALE FOR SPORTS, BATHROOMS AND MORE

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers will seek to define “male” and “female” in state law, broadening a past effort focused on sex-based restrictions for K-12 school bathrooms and sports teams to colleges and all areas of state government.Legislative Bill 89, the Stand With Women Act from State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha and 20 other lawmakers, builds upon LB 575 from 2023: the Sports and Spaces Act. Now Kauth is trying to codify a “Women’s Bill of Rights” that Gov. Jim Pillen enacted by executive order in August 2023.

“We have to be able to say that a woman is a woman and a man is a man, and there should be some places where each sex has privacy,” Kauth said at a morning news conference Friday with two University of Nebraska athletes and all but one of her legislative cosponsors.

Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of the statewide LGBTQ nonprofit OutNebraska, described the bill as an “escalation” of Kauth’s past efforts.“Nobody’s ‘equality before the law’ should ever be put in jeopardy, and that is exactly what this bill does by touching everything that government controls,” Swatsworth said, quoting the state motto.

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PILLEN, SOME NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS SEEK TO BANISH LAB-GROWN MEAT FROM SHELVES

LINCOLN- Calling it a move to protect Nebraska’s ag industry, Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday announced his backing of three new legislative proposals — including one banning lab-grown meat from being produced in or sold in stores of the Cornhusker State. “It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined,” the governor, flanked by two state lawmakers, said during a Capitol news conference.

Pillen, Nebraska’s first active farmer elected as governor in more than a century, called agriculture the lifeblood of the state’s economy. He said that while most people want the government “out of our hair,” he believes the state should protect consumers and defend agriculture. Of the proposed ban on protein food “grown in a petri dish,” Pillen said: “If somebody wants to eat that stuff, they’re welcome to it — they’re just not gonna find it in Nebraska grocery stores.” Legislative Bill 246 was introduced, at the request of the governor, by State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara. Seven state senators are listed as co-sponsors.

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NEBRASKA KIDS COULD BE DETAINED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES YOUNGER, AT AGE 11, CHARGED AS ADULTS AT 12

LINCOLN- The age at which a Nebraska child could be detained for an alleged crime would be lowered, from 13 to 11, under a new bill expected to be in front of state lawmakers this year at the urging of Gov. Jim Pillen. State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said he plans to introduce the measure, which also would drop the age, from 14 to 12, at which a minor can be charged as an adult for the “most serious” felonies.

The legislation was briefly outlined in Pillen’s proposed budget distributed Wednesday to lawmakers. Riepe said he plans soon to formally introduce the legislation, which is being refined. The proposed legislation calls for a court hearing and a judge’s review to determine juvenile placement unless waived by both parties.

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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, NEW SALES TAX PROPOSED BY NEBRASKA SENATORS

LINCOLN — A state lawmaker seeking a universal homestead exemption for Nebraska homeowners is also proposing tax incentives for new first-time homebuyer savings accounts.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced Legislative Bill 151 to create the “First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account Act.” It would allow taxpayers to annually offset a certain portion of federal adjusted gross income into the savings account — $4,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint tax return, or $2,000 for others with the new account.

The maximum values would increase with inflation starting in 2027. Tax-deductible contributions could continue for up to 10 calendar years, or the date of the account holder’s first withdrawal of funds not related to qualified home purchases. Cavanaugh said the goal is “to make the dream of home ownership a little bit more realistic for more Nebraskans.”

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LAWMAKER REVIVES PROPOSAL TO HOLD NEBRASKA SCHOOLS LIABLE FOR SOME CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULTS

LINCOLN — A state lawmaker is seeking to uphold her promise to a Lincoln family to fight for and revive a 2024 vetoed proposal for families to sue public schools in some cases of child sexual assault.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln introduced Legislative Bill 156 on Monday as a revived version of LB 25 of 2024, which Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed after lawmakers had already adjourned the 2024 legislative session, preventing any attempt at a possible veto override. The new bill is narrower, applying only to sexual assaults of children in school settings.

Conrad said the legislation comes in response to a string of Nebraska Supreme Court decisions that closed the courthouse doors for families to allege negligence against political subdivisions in cases more broadly including abuse of children in foster care and deaths of state prisoners.

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NEW NEBRASKA BILLS FOCUS ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, HEALTH DIRECTOR AUTHORITY

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s K-12 schools would be required to teach students from elementary to high schools about human development under a new bill proposed Tuesday in the Legislature. Legislative Bill 213, from State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, was one of 66 proposals introduced on the fifth legislative day. Holdcroft’s bill would require the State Board of Education, by March 1, 2026, to adopt measurable content standards for human embryology as part of the state’s science education standards. Teachings would need to begin by August 2026.

The curriculum must cover the stages of human embryonic development and include high-definition videos showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs. The State Board of Education has not adopted health education standards, and Holdcroft, when asked, said his bill is not about sex education, which embroiled the board more than three years ago, partly leading to significant changes in board membership and public attention.

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LAWSUIT AGAINST NEBRASKA MEDICAL CANNABIS EXTENDED TO REGULATORY BOARD, STATE AGENCIES

LINCOLN — The targets of a legal effort arguing that Nebraska’s voter-initiated legalization of medical cannabis is federally unconstitutional have been expanded to include a new regulatory commission, the state treasurer and two state agencies.

Attorneys for John Kuehn, a former state senator, a former member of the State Board of Health and a longtime marijuana opponent, amended his December lawsuit on Friday to include broader swaths of state government overseeing implementation of the new medical cannabis laws.The lawsuit first targeted Gov. Jim Pillen and Secretary of State Bob Evnen for allowing the measures to go into law, as well as the three ballot sponsors of the effort.

The amended complaint now adds:

• The three commissioners of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, who, by virtue of the voter initiatives, will compose a new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.

• State Treasurer Tom Briese and Tax Commissioner Jim Kamm of the Nebraska Department of Revenue, who will oversee the new collection of sales taxes on medical cannabis.

• CEO Steve Corsi of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, whose department handles oversight of medical practitioners.

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TWO GROUPS LOBBYING NEBRASKA SENATORS SHARE A NAME, BUT NOT THE SAME IDEALS

LINCOLN- The transcript that will eventually be published of Thursday's public hearing of the Nebraska Legislature's Rules Committee will be nothing if not confusing — and not just because the esoteric committee deals with the complex rules that govern the lawmaking process. Representatives from two opposing groups both known as Nebraskans Against Government Overreach testified at the hearing on proposals from Sen. Loren Lippincott to change the vote threshold to end the filibuster.

Right-wing activist Allie Bush, formerly Allie French, initially formed Nebraskans Against Government Overreach in the wake of the pandemic and became a frequent testifier at the Capitol but never formally organized the group as a nonprofit or lobbying group. Last year, left-wing advocate Karin Waggoner paid $200 to register as a lobbyist in Nebraska under the same name — but with a much different political agenda.

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THE 'GOAT': LAWMAKERS UNVEIL PLAN TO UPDATE NEBRASKA REGULATIONS, CUT RED TAPE

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers unveiled a multi-step plan Thursday to cut red tape, periodically review or update state rules and regulations, and, ultimately, save taxpayers money. The legislative package coined as “GOAT” — Government Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency — is similar to the advisory Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) that President-elect Donald Trump has proposed to advise members of Congress on how to shrink the federal government and find efficiencies. Several other states have set up similar advisory boards.

State Sens. Bob Andersen of Omaha, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, Dan McKeon of Amherst, Dan Quick of Grand Island, Merv Riepe of Ralston and Tanya Storer of Whitman are leading the efforts with the Platte Institute, a nonprofit think tank, and Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska. Among a half-dozen proposals is Legislative Bill 29, from Conrad, to require executive agencies to review the necessity of existing regulations every three years.

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NU PRESIDENT JEFFREY GOLD SAYS JIM PILLEN'S BUDGET WOULD HARM GROWTH, NEBRASKA'S ECONOMY

LINCOLN- University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold on Wednesday spoke out against some $25 million in annual budget cuts Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed for the university system, saying they would harm the institution that serves as a key economic driver for the state. In his two-year budget plan, Pillen proposed cutting $14 million, or 2%, from the state’s current annual $717 million appropriation to the university system.

In addition, Pillen, who once served on the NU Board of Regents, proposed taking away $11 million in annual state tobacco settlement dollars that fund biomedical research at the university. That makes the governor’s budget equate to a 3.5% general fund cut, Gold said — and at a time when the university and nation are facing 3% annual inflation.

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'NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED': $2M IN TAX DOLLARS VANISHES AS MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STALLS IN GRETNA

GRETNA- State lawmakers hoped to inspire transformational development in areas like Nebraska Crossing with a 2023 law that resulted in a sales tax cut there and in other designated “good life” districts. Now two years later, that project in Gretna appears in limbo and the state is out more than $2 million in sales tax dollars as lawmakers face a projected budget shortfall.

That money went uncollected thanks to the evolving state law and a stalemate between developer Rod Yates and the City of Gretna. Yates, who owns Nebraska Crossing and backed the 2023 law, received one of the first good life designations in the state. Now, he hopes to spur a law change that would let him bypass Gretna and work with the state instead.

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GOV. PILLEN, LAWMAKERS AIM AT YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA AND CELL PHONE USE

LINCOLN — Nebraskans under age 18 would need parental permission before opening a social media account under new legislation to be considered this year by state lawmakers.

The measure, to be introduced by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, was among four proposals promoted Monday by Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers at a news conference announcing legislation aimed at “protecting our kids” from online abuse and “addictive” phone apps and online services.

“Just as a parent must consent for a child to get their ears pierced, (consent) should also be required for access to platforms that collect personal data and expose children to potential harm,” Storer said during the event at the Governor’s Office that drew nine state senators. “Social media poses inherent risk, and parents deserve the tools to make informed decisions about their children’s online safety,” said the newly elected lawmaker.

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GOVERNOR PILLEN DELIVERS 2025 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

LINCOLN- In his vision for Nebraska's next two budget years, Gov. Jim Pillen focused primarily on reducing government spending, with less of an emphasis on new property tax relief than he's had in prior years. 

Pillen gave his third State of the State speech as Nebraska's governor Wednesday morning, in which he detailed his priorities for 2025, and unveiled his plan for the state's biennial budget, which will start July 1, 2025, and span until June 30, 2027. "Many important issues will consume our focus throughout this legislative session," Pillen said. "I pledge to you that we will be your partner throughout it all."

The governor's budget plan calls for a 0.5% reduction in state spending over two years, which is expected to help close the projected $432 million budget shortfall and leave Nebraska with roughly $62 million left over. Absent from his plan is a direct approach for additional property tax relief, which his staff anticipates will cost between $235 million to $245 million per year to sustain. 

Read the Governor's full remarks by clicking HERE

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IN DEPTH: GOVERNOR PILLEN'S BUDGET PROPOSAL

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen focused primarily on reducing government spending, with less of an emphasis on new property tax relief than he's had in prior years. 

He said his budget includes shrinking state spending by half a percent over the next biennium. The budget leaves $755 million in the cash reserve and calls for $100 million in cuts to about $5.3 billion in general fund appropriations in 2025-26 and $5.4 billion in 2026-2027.

It solves a $432 million budget shortfall and still provides for $672 million in additional property tax relief, which the governor addressed in his speech.

The proposed budget includes legislation to reverse 20 incentive expansions that reduce state revenue and some examples are the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Expansion Act; Good Life Transformational Projects; Sports Complex Financing; Large Public Stadium Financing; and Shortline Rail Credits.

For Gov. Pillen's Budget in Brief Report, click HERE

For Gov. Pillen's Executive Budget Presentation, click HERE

NAVY DESTROYER NAMED AFTER BOB KERREY

LINCOLN — First a bridge and now a Navy destroyer has been named after former Nebraska governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey.This week, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer has been named the USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146).

Kerrey, a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War who received the Medal of Honor, previously lent his name to a pedestrian bridge spanning the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. In a Navy press release, Kerrey said he was grateful for the honor. “My sincere thanks to President Biden, Secretary of the Navy Del Toro, and the United States Navy that gave me the opportunity to serve my country for three of the best years of my life,” Kerrey said. Del Toro said that the naming recognized his actions in Vietnam “and his continued service to this country well beyond his Naval service.”

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NEBRASKA'S NEXT STATE POET IS A JEWEL, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO FILL ROLE

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s next state poet is a fixture around poetry slams and political events in the state’s largest city, having spoken beside mayors and members of Congress. But Jewel Rodgers of Omaha stepped on to a larger stage Monday, when Gov. Jim Pillen named her state poet and charged her with inspiring a new generation of Nebraska readers and writers.

Rodgers is the first Black Nebraskan to hold the five-year renewable post, which requires nominees to compete with finalists from across the state and be screened by the Nebraska Arts Council. Rodgers took a deep breath when asked what it means to be poet laureate of Nebraska. She credited others in her past who saw possibilities “she didn’t even know to be thinking about.” “For me … being the first African American woman to hold this position … is to show folks what’s possible, to instill a vision in them that they may not have had for themselves,” she said.

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NEBRASKA CATTLE PRODUCERS BATTLE FREEZING TEMPERATURES TO KEEP HERDS SAFE IN ARCTIC BLAST

GRAND ISLAND- The first big blast of winter weather arrives in Nebraska where cattle producers battle the elements to protect the herd. “Constantly chopping ice,” Adriane Stoltenberg said. An arctic blast brings wind chills of 20 below to the Stoltenberg farm.

Water is a major consideration according to Extension Educator Troy Walz. “If they're not consuming enough water they're not going to eat as much and if they're not eating as much they're not getting the energy that they need so we really need to be vigilant with cold temperatures like this,” he said. Walz said for every degree under 19 there’s a one percent increase in energy needs.

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